Datsun 280ZX Oil Change Guide

We recommend Lucas Oil’s 10W-30 high-zinc oil for most Datsun 280Zs, but read on to see if you may want something different for your engine and climate.

One of the most critical aspects of 280ZX ownership and maintenance is routine and proper changing of your oil. The L28E/T engine, while known for being highly reliable like all the L-series engines before it, needs regular oil changes like any other car. Fortunately, this is something you can do yourself as opposed to taking it to the shop to get done. This guide will serve as a reference for engine oil type, weight, temperature differences, and more.


All Datsun L-series engines utilize a wet sump oil supply in their lubrication systems, which means that the crankcase is used as the primary reservoir for oil, as opposed to a separate, external reservoir you will see in dry-sump oil supply systems. This means that draining the oil is done by removing the drain plug at the bottom of the oil pan as opposed to on some separate reservoir like you might see in a dry-sump system.


Lubrication Intervals

It is generally recommended that for any classic vehicle, you should change your oil every 3,000 miles, and that the filter should be changed every 6,000 miles. However, with classic cars such as the 280ZX, we recommend also considering how long the oil has been in the crankcase. Oil that sits idle at the bottom of the crankcase can break down in the presence of contaminants such as dirt, gas, or really any debris that might be present in your oil, regardless of whether or not you’ve been running the engine. So, change the oil every 3,000 miles or every 6-12 months, whichever comes first. If the 280ZX is put away for the winter it is always recommended that you change the oil as part of your spring maintenance as you bring your 280ZX out of hibernation. Additionally, it is a great idea to regularly check the oil and to top off the oil if you notice the oil-line on the dipstick getting close to the ‘low’ indicator.


Oil Type

In general, the engine oil you should be using for your 280ZX is 10W-30, however there are some considerations you should keep in mind with respect to temperature. Below is a chart you can follow for deciding what engine oil to use in different climates:

Temperature (Fahrenheit) Under 10 degrees 10-32 degrees 32-90 degrees Over 90 degrees
Oil Type(s) to Use 10W-30, 10W, or 5W-20 10W-30, 10W-40, or 10W 10W-30, 10W-40, or 20W 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40, or 30W

We recommend Lucas Oil’s high zinc engine oil. The most important consideration to keep in mind when choosing the type of engine oil for your 280ZX is that it should be a high-zinc oil. It is highly recommended that you use a high-zinc oil which provides wear protection in areas of increased friction such as the cam/lobe interface. While you may have to look a little harder to find high-zinc oil or order online, it is well worth the extra effort and is a great precaution to take in a classic engine like the L28E/T. The Lucas Oil we recommended has more than enough zinc content to satisfy the L28E/T.

The next question we get a lot from readers is whether or not it is fine to use synthetic oil, and the answer is, of course! Synthetic oil refers to any oil which features any artificial additives. So of course, our recommendation of high-zinc oil falls under that category.

Filter Type

The K&N HP-2004 is a highly reliable, wrench-on filter that will fit your L28E/T.

The 280Z features a cartridge-type oil filter as opposed to a permanent housing setup for the filter. Our overall recommendation is a K&N HP-2004 Performance filter.  You should be able to get shipping a very cheaply or free with Amazon, especially if you have Amazon Prime. If you are not an Amazon Prime member, I highly recommend it as it can really cut down the cost of automotive parts as it comes with unlimited free 2-day shipping on any item. You can get a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime to decide if it is for you.

An added benefit of the K&N HP-2004 filter is that it has an exposed 1in. nut so you don’t have to wrestle off the old filter by hand or with a set of oil-filter pliers.

Another important note here is that you should stay away from FRAM oil filters! FRAM filters are cheap, but naturally this means that the actual build quality is cheap. I normally try to stick to only recommending products I believe in, but I have heard too many horror stories of FRAM filters breaking up and becoming adding contaminants instead of capturing them! I have heard of more than one occasion where the paper inside of a FRAM filter came loose and caused havoc inside the engine by going straight for the camshaft. While it may be tempting due to the cheap price point, I recommend you steer clear of FRAM filters.


Oil Capacity

Refilling the Datsun 280Z’s L28E/T engine will take 4.75 quarts if you are changing the oil filter at the same time, and 4.25 quarts if you are just changing the oil and not the filter.


Oil Change Process

Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes to heat up the oil. This is helpful because it will allow the oil to flow more freely so you can accomplish a more “complete” oil change. Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the crankcase. The socket size you’ll need is 22mm, although a 7/8″ socket will work just fine. Line up your oil catch pan and remove the plug. Be careful of hot oil and do your best to catch the nut and washer (you might actually have a rubber gasket instead of a washer) before the oil starts pouring out. If you miss it, don’t worry — it happens to the best of us! Just be careful when retrieving the nut and washer from the pan of hot oil.

To remove the old oil filter, simply unscrew it off. If you cannot quite get it by hand, you will need to use a set of oil-filter pliers. If the filter has been overtightened and cannot be unscrewed by hand or with a set of filter pliers, you can drive a long punch through it and use it as a handle to unscrew the filter.

With the filter removed, simply wait a few minutes for the oil to drain fully.

To install your new oil filter, simply screw it in place. Note that for any throw-away cartridge type filter, the gasket is built in to the filter itself. Do not over-tighten the filter: Screw it until it reaches the engine block, and then tighten a half-turn after that, and you’re done.

Next, you’re going to want to refill 4.7 quarts into the engine. Fire it up and ensure there are no leaks, and you should be good to go!


Checking Oil Level

If you’d like to just check out your oil level as opposed to completely changing your oil, it’s also pretty simple:

  1. Park on a level surface.
  2. Ensure the engine has been warmed up a bit.
  3. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a paper towel.
  4. Re-insert the dipstick and pull it out once it has been completely inserted.
  5. Check to see where the oil-level reads on the dipstick scale.

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